STEVE Hansen has challenged his players to write their names into the history books by recording Wales' first victory over New Zealand for 50 years tomorrow.

STEVE Hansen has challenged his players to write their names into the history books by recording Wales' first victory over New Zealand for 50 years tomorrow.

The Kiwi coach has rallied his troops ahead of the daunting encounter in Hamilton by insisting that New Zealand are just "normal guys who go to the toilet" like everyone else.

And he feels they are there for the taking by a Wales team who Hansen insists produced some of the best rugby during his time in charge against world champions Australia last weekend.

Wales lost the game 30-10, but Hansen feels the encounter in Sydney proved to his young players that much-vaunted southern hemisphere opponents are not supermen.

Hansen will use that Australia match to try to convince his team they can become the first Wales side since 1953 to beat New Zealand, and the first to do it on Kiwi soil.

Hansen has made one change to his starting XV for the big clash, Llanelli's Dafydd Jones returning to the back row in place of Jonathan Thomas.

Looking ahead to the game with confidence, the Welsh coach declared, "There were several periods in that Australia game that were probably as good as any we have put in during my time in charge.

"What we have to do is make sure our performance is up to that level again.

"We have made substantial progress since we met New Zealand in November, physically and game-wise, and slowly but surely we can see light at the end of the tunnel.

"Welsh rugby is wracked by self doubt at the moment, stemming upwards from the clubs who haven't had a lot of success. But playing against the best, like we did last weekend, makes you realise that they are not actually that much better than we are.

"They are normal guys who go to the toilet just like we do - and if we do the work to improve we can beat them.

"Whether that is tomorrow we will have to see, but this team is the next group of players with the chance to put their names in the history books."

Jones' return on the blindside flank means he will be playing his first game since being suspended for six weeks after being sent off for stamping during Llanelli's Heineken Cup defeat to Perpignan in April.

With Hansen's team confirmed, it is certain that at least seven members of the 30-man Welsh tour party will return home after three weeks away in Australia and New Zealand without having played a single minute of competitive rugby.

But Hansen defended his team selection policy, saying, "Everyone is desperate to play but unfortunately some of the team are going to go home without having played.

"But they will grow as players for the experience and will have a good idea of what is required at this level.

"We are trying to build a core group of players for the future and this is an opportunity for them to play against one of the best teams in the world. But we are also building another core of players who have been part of the tour, who have trained with us and had a taste of what touring and international rugby is about.

"Most of these players on this tour will be going to the World Cup, barring injuries."

In contrast to Hansen, New Zealand coach John Mitchell has rung the changes for the Waikato Stadium clash, with just seven players from last Saturday's defeat to England picked again.

Hansen said, "I think the changes they have made actually gives them a better mix, especially in the back-line.

"They are going to be extremely focussed on this game."

It will be a special occasion tomorrow for Hansen, who is taking on his fellow countrymen in his homeland and who will have lots of friends in the sell-out 25,000 crowd.

"Every game is a proud moment when you are coach of a national side, but I guess even more so here in New Zealand," he said.

Mark Taylor, who faces New Zealand for the first time, is upbeat about the challenge ahead.

"I know people out here don't give us much of a chance but we have the belief that we can win," said the Wales centre.

"That would just be awesome because it would put us on track and convince the players that we can compete.

"Coming up against New Zealand is a massive challenge and one that I am really looking forward to."